Dolores Whitehead

Dolores Whitehead, age 95, of New Providence, IA, passed away Monday, September 1, 2025 at Northcrest Community in Ames, IA.

Dolores Jean Whitehead was born May 28, 1930 on a farm south of New Providence, Iowa to J. Clarence and Agnes (Rose) Whitehead. She grew up on the farm and enjoyed many farm activities. She attended Honey Creek Church and later Honey Creek New Providence Friends Church.

Dolores graduated from the New Providence Community School in 1948. She earned degrees at Ellsworth Jr. College and a BSN and MA in the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa. She worked as a nurse in various areas at the University of Hospitals and Clinics until 1989 when she retired.

Dolores returned to New Providence in 1990 to live with and help care for her mother. In New Providence, she served on the Renewal Community, Inc. and volunteered at other community activities. Her later years were spent traveling and visiting with her sister and friends.

Dedicated to health care education, in 2004, she established the Dolores Whitehead Gerontological Nursing Fund at the University of Iowa. The fund is used to support one or more deserving students in the College of Nursing.

In June 2010, Dolores sold the family home in New Providence and moved to the Northcrest Community, a retirement facility in Ames, Iowa, where her sister also lived.

Dolores is survived by her sister Arlene Brandt of Ames, Iowa; nieces Gwen Brandt of Nevada, Iowa and Paula (Nate) O'Connell of Firestone, CO; along with several cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father in 1978, mother in 1998 and brother-in-law in 1999.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Renewal Community, Inc. c/o Arlene Brandt, 2300 Northcrest Parkway, HC-6, Ames, IA 50010

Condolences and memorial contributions may be directed to the Renewal Community, Inc. c/o Arlene Brandt, 2300 Northcrest Parkway, HC-6, Ames, IA 50010